One Piece: Starting as a Marine Lieutenant, I Slack Off and Get Stronger

Monica wrapped her arms around Karl's neck, greedily inhaling his scent, and said reluctantly, "Yes, I'll wait for you. You must come back safely!"

"Of course, I'm leaving!"

Under Monica's affectionate gaze, Carl boarded the training ship and waved goodbye to her on board. Only after the training ship left Crescent Bay did Monica reluctantly return to the hospital, quietly waiting for the day Carl would return.

The training ship was sailing, and many new recruits were excited. After two months, they could finally step onto the warship and carry out justice.

"Ahem! Everyone, assemble!"

Zefa, holding a megaphone, gathered the new recruits together and explained the capture targets for this internship.

"According to information provided by the Navy Intelligence Department, the [Hunter's Knife] Pirates, with a total bounty of 4745 million Berries, are roaming near Autumn Island. Your objective is to defeat them and send them all to Impel Down. Are you confident?"

"have!!!"

"Very good, I believe you have the ability. I have said everything I needed to say. Now, let's set sail!"

"Oooo!!!"

Karl took a deep breath, feeling some pressure, mainly from the monster that might jump out at any moment—Whitebeard II Weevil.

But now that he's here, he absolutely won't let the tragedy from his memory repeat itself in reality!

Chapter 17 Frankness

"Aion, you seem to be in a good mood!"

Ain squinted and smiled happily: "Yes, Brother Karl, once my internship is over, I'll be able to become Staff Officer He's subordinate. I really admire her!"

"That's great! But there are always pros and cons!"

Ayn was taken aback. What did she understand, and what did she miscalculate?

"Why, why?"

Karl let out a long sigh and gave Ain a handsome smile: "Because you'll hardly ever see a navy officer as handsome as me again."

"Hey! Karl, you're so narcissistic!"

Carl smiled without saying a word, took the bounty poster for this internship mission from Ain's hand, and began to read it with great interest.

"The Hunter Blade Pirates, Captain Zack, bounty 2450 million Berries, skilled in swordsmanship, wow, how scary~"

Huh, why is he already talking like a monkey even before he's become Kizaru's subordinate?

Ain seemed very dissatisfied with Karl's attitude, raising her fist angrily and saying, "Zakir has committed numerous evils. He not only looted Autumn Island but also killed more than twenty innocent civilians. I will never let him get away with this!"

"Haha, of course! Under my guidance, we will definitely complete this internship perfectly, don't worry!"

Ain looked at Karl suspiciously, then her gaze sharpened: "By the way, Karl, what exactly is your ability? You should be able to tell me now, right?"

"this..."

“It’s alright, Carl. You’re all in the same boat now, comrades-in-arms. It’s best to let them know your capabilities in advance.”

Zefa suddenly appeared behind Karl and spoke, then summoned the new recruits again before Karl could reply.

"Karl, it's up to you now." With that, Zephyr smiled and stepped aside.

Seeing the curious and puzzled looks from the new recruits around him, Karl took a deep breath and smiled.

"I'm sure everyone has been curious about my abilities for the past two months, but for certain reasons, I can't reveal them to you."

"But it's time to be honest with everyone."

As soon as he finished speaking, Karl stretched out his right hand, conjuring a golden ball of light that shone brightly even under the blazing sun.

"Everyone, this is my power, which I name the Power of Holy Light. For now, it only has two effects: healing and enhancement!"

Then Karl pulled out a pistol from behind his back, aimed at Binz who was watching the show, and fired!

bang~

"Ahhhh!"

Blood blossomed on Binz's thigh. Binz looked at Karl in confusion, meow meow meow?

Then she let out a bloodcurdling scream, clutching her leg and rolling around howling.

Zephyr frowned, but considering Karl's abilities, there shouldn't be any major problems, so he didn't say anything and let Karl do as he pleased.

"Look closely, everyone. Binz has been shot. If he were shot during combat, his combat effectiveness would drop drastically, and he would need some time to recover after the battle."

“But…” Karl threw the holy light in his hand at Binz, who immediately stopped screaming and looked completely bewildered.

The others only saw a black bullet fall from Binz's leg and roll on the ground.

"What! This... what terrifying regenerative power! No, it must be Karl's... Holy Light!"

The recruits swarmed around Binz, tearing open his pants to check his injuries, but upon closer inspection...

Apart from the bloodstains left earlier, there were no other signs of injury.

"This is the healing effect of the Holy Light. Of course, the enhancement effect varies from person to person, and everyone's experience is different. Would you like to try it?"

The recruits shouted excitedly to Karl, "Of course!"

Karl grinned, clasped his hands together, and golden light condensed in his palms once more. As the light grew larger, his hands slowly opened until it became a golden light ball the size of a yoga ball.

"Holy Radiance Redemption!"

bang~

The golden light burst open, but it did not cause any damage. Instead, the aura of every recruit illuminated by the golden light was greatly enhanced.

Karl was slightly out of breath. Strengthening so many people at once was a huge burden on his stamina, but fortunately he had the stamina recovery effect provided by [Stillness Like a Virgin], and the stamina he consumed could be recovered in about fifteen minutes.

"I feel like I could kill a bull with one punch right now!"

"That's incredible! I sprained my ankle yesterday, and after being bathed in Karl's holy light, it was completely healed! It's amazing!"

Such exclamations were countless, and the gazes of the new recruits of the same period towards Karl instantly became fiery.

Who doesn't want to become stronger?

As long as Karl is by their side, they can have strong medical support and physical enhancement at any time. How could they not be excited?

No wonder Karl was so tight-lipped about his abilities, no wonder Instructor Zephyr valued him so much, and no wonder the three generals were vying to have Karl as their adjutant!

If it were them, they would definitely do the same!

Because Carl's abilities are just too strong! He's practically the teammate of my dreams!

"It seems everyone is quite satisfied with my abilities! So, what about this internship assignment..."

Binz, who had just been shot, immediately shouted excitedly, "Karl, leave him to us!"

"Yes! With your holy light, we fear nothing. The little Hunter's Knife Pirates are nothing but a joke!"

Carl nodded in satisfaction. Very good, excellent. Now he could finally slack off without any guilt!

The problem is that Weevil is always a ticking time bomb in his mind, and the key is that he doesn't know when it will explode.

But looking at Zeff, who was still as powerful and imposing as ever, Karl temporarily put aside his worries. He and Zeff together would definitely be a killing machine, with him taking care of the killing and Zeff taking care of the rampage.

After an unknown amount of time, Karl and Zephyr had long since gone to a quiet place to chat and smoke cigars, while the group of recruits were still tirelessly engaging in one-on-one duels, trying to see just how strong they really were after their enhancements.

Zefa didn't bother to stop them; the voyage was the most boring part, so it was good for them to vent their energy.

“Karl, you did very well just now. To be honest, with your strength, you could easily take down the Hunter Blade Pirates by yourself. But this is exactly the situation I wanted to see.”

Karl smiled, flicked his cigar, and said contentedly, "I think so too. Isn't this how my abilities are supposed to be used?"

"Haha, that's right. The reason the navy is the navy is because we are a whole. The strength of one or a few people doesn't mean anything."

"Only by improving the overall strength of the navy can we better deter those audacious individuals."

Just as Carl was about to say something, Zephyr's Den Den Mushi started ringing.

"I am Zefa, what brings you here?"

"Chief Instructor Zephyr, according to naval intelligence, the 'Musketeer' pirate crew, with a total bounty of 3000 million Berries, has landed on Spring Island. Your training ship is the closest warship..."

"Don't worry, I'll be there right away!" Zefa immediately hung up the phone and got up to walk towards the bustling deck.

Three minutes later, the training ship began to accelerate forward!

Chapter 18 The Recruits' First Battle

Spring Island, the island of the four seasons in the first half of the Grand Line.

A pirate crew from the West Blue successfully crossed the Reverse Mountain and, having just arrived at the first half of the Grand Line, couldn't wait to begin plundering.

For them, this raid might not have been necessary; it was more about the excitement of being on the Grand Line for the first time and a strange restlessness, wanting to do something big!

The goal is simple: money, prestige, women, and fine wine.

Unbeknownst to them, an unremarkable naval training ship was quietly approaching. Karl, rifle in hand, aimed and pulled the trigger.

bang~

The henchman on guard duty on the pirate ship fell off the lookout tower with a groan, dying a rather gruesome death.

"Tsk tsk, I'm getting rusty..." Karl shook his head helplessly.